On paper, the Indiana Pacers had the talent of a playoff team but injuries took their toll and first-year head coach Nate Bjorkgren reportedly complicated things mightily with a controlling, micro-managing style. The Pacers have already moved on from Bjorkgren and are supposedly targeting an experienced, playoff-tested coach in their search for his replacement. Landing the No. 1 pick is unlikely (a 1 percent chance) but it would certainly make things easier.
The Pacers are set in the frontcourt with Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner settling into as much twin-towers synergy as Indiana can reasonably hope for. Indiana has plenty of depth on the wings and in the backcourt with Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon and a hopefully healthy T.J. Warren. Either Cunningham or Mobley would be building on strengths for this roster, but Cunningham’s playmaking, shooting and defensive versatility raises their ceiling more.